Martinez: Pintado Is Worth Millions

Roberto Martinez has insisted that the club have secured a striker worth millions of pounds in Gorka Pintado after the strikers stunning start to his Swansea City career.

Pintado announced his arrival on the league stage in blistering fashion with a fantastic strike against Nottingham Forest in the first home game of the season. Over a week later the former Granada CF player consolidated that good start after the 30 year old spurred on a Swansea onslaught that overhauled Premiership side Hull City to book a place in the third round of the Carling Cup for the first time since 1982.

Highly regarded in his native Spain, the player known as 'El Toro' (The Bull) could set alight the Championship this season and has even led to his manager and fellow compatriot Roberto Martinez to ward off any interest in the striker by putting a multi million price tag on the San Sebastian born striker.

Martinez has also also revelled that Pintado has been playing with a back injury and is firmly hoping his new star will be 100% in the near future.

Martinez Told The SWEP:

"Gorka is the type of striker that is the hardest to find and that's the value in the British market. We are delighted that we have got him, that his best years are ahead of him and that he will be a Swansea City player for a long time to come."

Martinez on length of Pintdo's stay in the lower Spanish leagues:

"There are a few reasons. From a financial point of view it's better to do that in Spain and it allows the player to make decisions. Gorka had a spell at the equivalent of a Championship club in Spain, but he didn't enjoy it and after that he wanted to be a leader. He has captained his last three clubs and has averaged 18 or 19 goals in his last three seasons. He should have been playing at a higher level, but sometimes it's about someone giving you a chance. He is a handful for anyone. He really imposed himself against some experienced Hull defenders.

His work rate, and the intelligence that goes with it, is special. Now we're just hoping he can get to 100 per cent fitness very soon. If that happens, it will be down to the player to decide if he wants to go or if he wants to stay with the club who went out of their way to bring him in."

Sheffield Wednesday are the next opponents to Swansea City on Saturday at the Liberty Stadium.

hard to put a high value on him yet though, as he has only played a couple of competitive games from the bench! and he is also 30 years old! but i hope he does prove he is worth millions!! he has certainly made a very impressive start!